Tool mount for a self-propelled vehicle

ABSTRACT

A method of manipulating a tool mounted on a self-propelled vehicle includes removably mounting a tool in a pivotal relationship relative to a mounting plate of a hydraulic loader assembly of a self-propelled vehicle. The tool is moved via selectively controlled rotational movement of the mounting plate between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the tool remains in releasable contact against the mounting plate and in the second position, the tool is freely pivotally movable relative to the mounting plate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims the benefit of the filing date ofProvisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/771,205 entitled “TOOLCARRIER FOR A SELF-PROPELLED VEHICLE,” having Attorney Docket NumberK396.103.101 and having a filing date of Feb. 7, 2006, which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Conventional self-propelled vehicles enable an operator to sit on, walkbehind, ride on a platform behind the vehicle, while operating ahydraulic loader assembly to perform various tasks. These self-propelledvehicles, such as full-size skid steer loaders or compact utilityloaders, are capable of using a variety of attachable tools, such as abucket, auger, or a trencher, etc. The loader assembly of a conventionalself propelled vehicle is equipped with a loader arm that extends alength of the vehicle and is movable into a variable number of up anddown positions. A separate lift cylinder mounted at a front end of thevehicle causes an end plate (i.e., a mounting plate) at an end of theloader arm to tilt relative to the end of the loader arm. A load bucketor other tool is attached to the end plate. With this arrangement, theloader assembly is used to fill and empty a loader bucket, and/ormaneuver the many other different tools that are also attachable to theloader assembly of the self-propelled vehicle.

Despite the many tools available for use with a self propelled vehicle,their effectiveness is greatly determined by the skill of the operatorin manipulating the loader assembly of the self propelled vehicle, andby the power and weight of the vehicle. In particular, the ability tocontrol a position and direction of movement of the end plate of theloader assembly, as well as the loader arm itself, determines theeffectiveness of an attachable tool. However, despite the skill of theoperator and the power of the loader assembly, some movements of theloader assembly are too awkward and lack fine control in certainpositions. Accordingly, while the loader assembly of the conventionalself-propelled vehicle excels at many tasks, it underperforms on othertasks requiring finer movements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side plan view of a self-propelled vehicle including aremovably attachable tool system, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial side plan view of the removably attachabletool system, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tool mount and a removably attachableshovel, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the tool mount and the removably attachableshovel, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a side plan view of the tool mount and the removablyattachable shovel, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6A is a side view schematically illustrating a method of diggingvia the tool mount and the removably attachable shovel in a firstposition, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6B is a side view schematically illustrating a method of diggingvia the tool mount and the removably attachable shovel in a secondposition, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a tool mount and a trencher tool,according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a side plan view of the tool mount and the trencher tool,according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9A is a side view schematically illustrating a method of diggingvia the tool mount and the trencher tool in a first position, accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9B is a side view schematically illustrating a method of diggingwith the tool mount and the trencher tool in a second position,according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9C is a side view schematically illustrating a method of diggingvia the tool mount and the trencher tool in a third position, accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9D is a side view schematically illustrating a method of diggingvia the tool mount and the trencher tool in a fourth position, accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9E is a side view schematically illustrating a method of diggingvia the tool mount and the trencher tool in a fifth position, accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9F is a side view schematically illustrating a method of diggingvia the tool mount and the trencher tool in a second mounting position,according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a front end plan view of a self-propelled vehicle in a methodof trenching via the tool mount and the trencher tool, according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11A is a side plan view of a tool mount and a removably attachablewheel barrow in a first position, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 11B is an end plan view of the tool mount and the removablyattachable wheel barrow, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11A is a side plan view of the tool mount and the removablyattachable wheel barrow in a second position, according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a removably attachable rake, accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a front plan view of the removably attachable rake, accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a side plan view of the removably attachable rake, accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15A is a side view schematically illustrating a method of levelingvia a tool mount and the rake in a first position, according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15B is a side view schematically illustrating a method of levelingvia the tool mount and the rake in a second position, according to anembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following Detailed Description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shownby way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention maybe practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,”“bottom,” “front,” “back,” etc., is used with reference to theorientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components ofembodiments of the present invention can be positioned in a number ofdifferent orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposesof illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood thatother embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes maybe made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thefollowing Detailed Description, therefore, is not to be taken in alimiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by theappended claims.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a tool mount securable to aloader assembly of a self-propelled vehicle, such as a fall size skidsteer loader or compact utility loader. In one embodiment, the toolmount includes a base and a receiver pivotally movable relative to thebase. The base is permanently or removably securable relative to an endplate of the loader assembly of the self-propelled vehicle while a toolis removably attachable to the receiver. A pivoting action of thereceiver of the tool mount relative to its base, and therefore relativeto the end plate of the loader assembly, adds a third degree of motion(or freedom) to the familiar two degrees of motion (or freedom) of aconventional loader assembly.

In one aspect, the pivoting receiver of the tool mount enables moregraceful and fluid movements of a tool maneuvered via the loaderassembly by limiting pivoting of the attached tool a first rotationaldirection at the end plate of the loader assembly while permittingpivoting of the attached tool in a second rotational direction (oppositethe first direction) away from the end plate of the loader assembly.Gravitational forces place a natural limit on the range of pivoting inthe second rotational direction.

The pivoting action of the tool mount provides more versatility inoperating a tool via the loader assembly of the self-propelled vehicle,enabling the operator to achieve more fluid and finer movementspreviously not attainable with a conventional loader assembly.

These embodiments, and additional embodiments, are further described andillustrated in association with FIGS. 1-15B.

FIG. 1 is a side plan view of a self-propelled vehicle system 10,according to one embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1,vehicle system 10 comprises a vehicle 12 and a tool mount 14 carrying atool 90. Vehicle 12 comprises a frame 20 having a back end 21 and afront end 22, as well as locomotion mechanism 23 and platform 24. Inanother aspect, vehicle 12 comprises controls 26 at back end 21.

In one aspect, vehicle 12 also comprises hydraulic loader assembly 40including loader arm 41 comprising main arm 42A and outer arm 42B, andwith a load cylinder 44 supporting and controlling movement of main arm42A. Loader assembly 40 also comprises a generally vertical arm 48supporting a hydraulic lift cylinder 50 that supports extendible liftarm 52.

In another aspect, an end plate 53 is mounted to an end of outer arm 42Bvia pivot mechanism 56B and to an end of lift arm 52 via pivot mechanism56A. In use, an operator manipulates controls 26 of vehicle 12 to extendand retract, respectively, the lift arm 52 to selectively pivot endplate 53 relative to outer arm 42B of loader assembly 40 via pivotmechanisms 56A and 56B.

Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 1, main arm 42A is generallyvertically movable relative to vehicle frame 20 (as represented bydirectional arrow A) to provide a first degree of motion (or freedom)for loader assembly 40 while end plate 53 is generally rotatablerelative to outer arm 42B of loader assembly 40 (as represented bydirectional arrow B) to provide a second degree of motion (or freedom)for loader assembly 40.

As further illustrated in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, a tool mount 14additionally forms part of, or is attached to, end plate 53 of loaderassembly 40 to provide a third degree of motion in controlling a toolmounted on loader assembly. In other words, tool mount 14 is interposedbetween a conventional end plate 53 of loader assembly 40 and anattachable tool to enhance manipulation of the tool via the loaderassembly 40.

In one aspect, tool mount 14 comprises base 70, receiver 80 and tool 90.In one aspect, base 70 is secured permanently or removably) to end plate53 of vehicle 12 and receiver 80 is pivotally mounted relative to base70 via pivot mechanism 74. In one embodiment, receiver 80 includes arm85 which removably receives mounting arm 92 of tool 90.

In one aspect, base 70 and/or end plate 53 limits pivotal movement ofreceiver 80 of tool mount 14 in a first rotational direction (asrepresented by directional arrow 1) upon releasable contact of arm 85 ofreceiver 80 against base 70 and/or end plate 53. On the other hand,receiver 80 of tool mount 14 and tool 90 are capable of free pivotalmovement in the second rotational direction opposite the first direction(as represented by directional arrow 2), which moves arm 85 of receiver80 of tool mount 14 away from base 70 of tool mount 14 and/or away fromend plate 53 of loader assembly 40.

However, while the range of motion in the second rotational direction(as represented by directional arrow 2) extends up to 180 degrees, thisrange of motion is practically limited to a smaller range because of thegravitational forces acting on the tool 90 attached to tool mount 14. Inmost positions of the tool mount 14, these gravitational forces tend tocause the tool 90 to pivot toward the end plate 53 of the loaderassembly 40 unless an end of tool 90 is somehow in temporarily fixedposition, such as engaging the soil, or when the end plate 53 is in agenerally horizontal position.

Accordingly, pivotal movement of receiver 80 of tool mount 14 relativeto end plate 53 of vehicle 12 (as represented generally by directionalarrow C, and specifically by directional arrows 1 and 2) provides athird degree of motion to loader assembly 40 in addition to thepreviously described conventional first and second degrees of motion.This third degree of motion enables more fluid and graceful control of atool by providing greater flexibility in the manipulation of varioustools attachable to a loader assembly of a self-propelled vehicle.

In one embodiment, the pivoting action of receiver 80 of tool mount 14operate along a single plane of motion, unlike a universal joint whichcan permit pivoting or rotational action in multiple planes or axes ofmovement. Accordingly, this single-plane-of-movement insures that forcesdirected by the end plate 53 of the loader assembly 40 are directlytranslated into motion or force of a tool 90 (attached to tool mount 14)along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle 12 and/or tool mount 14.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial view of the tool mount 14 of FIG. 1,according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 2,base 70 comprises mount plate 71 and a wing 72. Wing 72 extendsgenerally outward from mount plate 71 and supports a pivot mechanism 74for pivotal mounting of receiver 80 relative to the base 70.

In one embodiment, receiver 80 includes a pivot member 83 and an arm 85.Pivot member 83 pivotally connects receiver 80 to base 70 via pivotmechanism 74 while arm 85 of receiver 80 extends from pivot member 83 tobe positioned vertically below pivot mechanism 74. In this arrangement,receiver arm 85 is set “off-axis” relative to pivot mechanism 74. In oneaspect, arm 85 of receiver 80 includes first portion 87 and secondportion 88 oriented in an opposite direction to the first portion 87. Inone embodiment, second portion 88 comprises a hollow sleeve (representedby dashed lines 89 since the sleeve is hidden from view) for removablyreceiving a slidably insertable mounting arm 92 of tool 90.

In one embodiment, mounting plate 71 of base 70 has a relatively largefootprint on end plate 53 of loader assembly 40 so that first portion 87of receiver arm 85 releasably contacts mounting plate 71. In anotherembodiment, mounting plate 71 has a relatively small footprint on endplate 53 of loader assembly 40 so that first portion 87 of receiver arm85 directly contacts end plate 53 instead of mounting plate 71. Aspreviously mentioned, mount plate 71 is permanently or removable securedrelative to end plate 53 of loader assembly 40.

In one aspect, receiver arm 85 has a length (D2) that is substantiallygreater than a length (D1) of pivot member 83. In another aspect, firstportion 87 of arm 85 has a length (D3) while second portion 88 of arm 85has a length (D4). In another aspect, receiver arm 85 is spacedvertically below pivot mechanism 74 by a distance H1.

In one aspect, the length (D1) of pivot member 83 in combination withthe vertical spacing of receiver arm 85 below pivot mechanism 74(represented by H1) provides the spacing to enable pivotal movement ofreceiver 80 of tool mount 14 relative to end plate 53 of loader assembly40. Moreover, the length (D3) of first portion 87 of receiver arm 85 oftool mount 14 further acts to control pivotal movement of receiver 80,by limiting the range of pivoting the first rotational direction (asrepresented by indicator 1 in FIG. 1).

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2, tool mount 14 additionallycomprises a vibration-absorbing link 95 that extends between loaderassembly 40 and tool mount 14. In one aspect, a first end of thevibration-absorbing link 95 is pivotally connected to the receiver arm85 of tool mount 14 and a second opposite end of the link 95 ispivotally connected to the end plate 53 of the loader assembly 40. Thevibration-absorbing link 95 acts to dampen unwanted pivoting of receiver80 when the vehicle travels over rough terrain and/or when there islittle or no load on tool 90.

These embodiments of tool mount 14, and additional embodiments includingspecific tool systems, are described and illustrated further inassociation with FIGS. 3-15B.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tool system 100 including a tool mount102 and shovel 104, according to one embodiment of the invention. In oneembodiment, tool mount 102 of system 100 comprises substantially thesame features and attributes as tool mount 14 of system 10 as previouslydescribed in association with FIGS. 1-2. In one embodiment, asillustrated in FIG. 3, tool mount 102 of system 100 is configured forremovably mounting shovel 104 and comprises base 106 with wings 110,transverse support 112 with wings 113, and pivot mechanism 114. In oneaspect, base 106 extends laterally between spaced apart wings 112 witheach respective wing 110 extending outwardly from and generallyperpendicular to base 106. Transverse support 112 extends laterallybetween spaced apart wings 113 with each respective wing 113 extendingoutwardly from and generally perpendicular to transverse support 112. Inthis arrangement, transverse support 112 is pivotally linked to base 106via pivot mechanism 114 which pivotally mounts each respective wing 113of transverse support 112 to a respective wing 110 of base 106.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, tool mount 102 also comprises receiver arm 120including first portion 124 and second portion 122. In one embodiment,like the receiver arm 85 of tool mount 14 in the embodiments of FIGS.1-2, second portion 122 of receiver arm 120 defines a hollow sleeveconfigured to slidably receive insertion of a mounting arm of a tool,such as a mounting arm 140 of shovel 102.

Receiver arm 120 is mounted at a center portion of transverse support112 via flanges 126A and 126B to suspend receiver arm 120 verticallybelow transverse support 112. In one aspect, flanges 126A and 126B arepositioned on opposite sides of receiver arm 120 and extend upward fromreceiver arm 120 to surround transverse support 112 at laterally spacedapart locations to maintain lateral stability of receiver arm 120relative to transverse support 112. In addition, flanges 126A 126B havea length at their base 128 (also shown in FIG. 4) that generallycorresponds to the length (D2) of receiver arm 120 to providelongitudinal stability and support to receiver arm 120 relative topivoting transverse support 112. As illustrated in FIG. 4, which is atop plan view of the tool mount 102 of FIG. 3, an upper portion 127 ofrespective flanges 126A and 126B are laterally apart from each other asmounted on transverse support 112. In another aspect, as illustrated inFIGS. 3-4, in combination with flanges 126A, 126B, transverse support112 provides lateral stability to receiver 120 and to shovel 104.

In one aspect, shovel 104 comprises mounting arm 140 and spade 142 withmounting arm 140 sized and shaped for slidable insertion into secondportion 122 of receiver arm 120. However, in other embodiments, shovel104 is replaced with another tool, such as a trencher tool, rake,wheelbarrow or other tool adapted for use with tool mount 102.

Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 3, this arrangement anchors receiverarm 120 relative to the pivoting transverse support 112 and also orientsfirst portion 124 of receiver arm 120 to be in releasable contactagainst end plate 53 and orients second portion 122 of receiver arm 120to extend outwardly in an opposite direction relative to end plate 53.Upon insertion of mounting arm 140 into second portion 122 of receiverarm 120, spade 142 of shovel 104 extends outwardly (and generallyparallel to receiver arm 120) in an opposite direction from end plate 53when receiver arm 120 is in contact against end plate 53 of loaderassembly 40.

FIG. 5 is side plan view of tool mount 102 and shovel 104 of FIGS. 3-4,according to one embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, toolmount 102 comprises substantially the same spatial relationships andstructural arrangement of tool mount 14 of FIGS. 1-2, as represented bydimensional indicators D1, D2, D3, and D4 in both FIGS. 1-2 and FIG. 5.

FIG. 6A is a side plan view schematically illustrating application oftool system 100 of FIGS. 3-5 in soil, according to one embodiment of theinvention. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, tool system 100 extends from endplate 53 of loader assembly 40 of self-propelled vehicle 12 (FIG. 1)with the rotational position of end plate 53 of loader assembly 40 (asrepresented by directional arrow B) being controlled via therelationship between outer arm 42B of loader arm 41 and lift arm 52 (ascontrolled via lift cylinder 50) as pivotally mounted to end plate 53(via pivot mechanisms 56B and 56A respectively).

FIG. 6A illustrates a first position (represented by indicator I) inwhich spade 142 of shovel 140, as supported by tool mount 102 and endplate 53 of loader assembly 40 of vehicle 12, is inserted into soil 175for digging. In this position, first portion 124 of receiver arm 120 isin contact with end plate 53 of loader assembly 40 to provide agenerally rigid axial support for shovel 140 as the vehicle 12 movesforward to cause penetration of spade 142 into soil 175, as representedby directional arrow 1 in soil 175. In one aspect, the operator alsomanipulates end plate 53 to achieve a tilt (second degree of motion B)suitable for a desired angle (α₁) of entry of spade 142 into soil 175 tofacilitate digging action.

Once spade 142 is inserted into soil 175, and with vehicle 12 in agenerally stationary position, end plate 53 of loader assembly 40 istilted forward (i.e., rotated in the second degree of motion as shown inFIG. 6B) via extension of lift arm 52 as represented by directionalarrow E to place tool mount 102 and shovel 104 in a second position II.Accordingly, with spade 142 firmly situated in soil 175, this forwardtilting of end plate 53 of loader assembly 40 causes receiver arm 120 oftool mount 102 to pivot away from end plate 53 via pivot mechanism 114.This pivoting action of tool mount 102 causes a corresponding upliftingaction on spade 142 against soil 175 (as represented by directionalarrow 2), which pushes soil portion 177 out of the bed of soil 175 whilemounting arm 140 becomes closer to top surface 178 of soil 175 (asrepresented by angle α₂, which is smaller than angle α₁).

In another aspect, a rearward tilting of end plate 53 via retraction oflift arm 52, as represented by directional arrow R, causes the toolmount 102 and shovel 104 to move downward in soil 175 (as represented bydirectional arrow 3 in soil 175) toward or into the first position (I)in which first portion 124 of receiver arm 120 is in contact with endplate 53 of loader assembly 40, as previously shown in FIG. 6A.

In use, an operator manipulates controls 26 of vehicle 12 to controlloader assembly 40 to pivot the tool mount 102 alternately between thefirst position (I) and the second position (II) (or positions in betweenthe first and second positions). This pivoting action of tool mount 102,in turn, causes a wiggling action or digging action of the spade 142 inthe soil so that the spade 142 can penetrate deeper into soil 175 and/ormore easily loosen soil 175.

In one aspect, this digging action is accomplished via extension andretraction of lift arm 52 of loader assembly 40, in combination withpivoting action of tool mount 102, which causes alternate up-and-downtilting of spade in soil 175 (represented by directional arrows 2 and 3in soil 175).

Without the pivoting action of tool mount 102 to add a third degree ofmotion, the operator would be limited to the conventional mechanisms ofdirectly lifting soil solely through action of loader arm 41 or solelythrough action of tilt arm 52.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a tool system 200 including tool mount102 and trenching tool 202, and FIG. 8 is a side plan view of trenchingtool 202, according to one embodiment of the invention. In oneembodiment, tool mount 102 of system 100 comprises substantially thesame features and attributes as tool mount 102 of system 100 aspreviously described in association with FIGS. 1-6B, except withtrenching tool 202 removably secured on tool mount 102 instead of shovel104.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7-8, tool mount 102 of system 100 is configuredfor removably mounting trenching tool 202. In one embodiment, trenchingtool 202 comprises an open ended scoop 201 and dual mounting arms 204and 206. Scoop 201 includes a front end 210 and a second end 212, aswell as a pair of side walls 220A, 220B that are laterally spaced apart,and generally parallel to each other. Each side wall 220A, 220B includesan upper portion 228. Scoop 201 also comprises a bottom wall 222interposed between and extending from side wall 220A to side wall 220B.

In one embodiment, scoop 201 defines a hollow sleeve including an opentop extending between side walls 220A, 220B, as well as open ends atboth front end 210 and back end 212 (represented by indicator 230).However, in another embodiment, back end 212 is closed.

In one aspect, as illustrated in FIG. 7, trenching tool 202 includes abracket 226 mounted at rear end 212 of scoop 201. Bracket 226 extendstransversely across scoop 201 between side walls 220A, 220B and issecured to the upper portions 228 of the respective side walls 220A,220B. First mounting arm 206 of trenching tool 202 extends rearward frombracket 226 in a first direction generally parallel to a longitudinalaxis of scoop 201 and opposite to front end 210 of scoop 201. Secondmounting arm 204 of trenching tool 202 extends rearward from bracket 226at an acute angle (α₄) relative to first mounting arm 206 to orient thesecond mounting arm 204 to extend generally upwards and away from theupper portions 228 of side walls 220A, 220B of scoop 201 of trenchingtool 202. In one embodiment, angle α₄ is about 45 degrees, although inother embodiments this angle falls within a range between about 30 to 60degrees.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8, front end 210 of scoop 201forms a beveled contour 240 extending from bottom wall 220 toward upperportions 228 of side walls 220A, 220B and is configured to facilitate acutting action through soil 175 as scoop 201 of trenching tool 202 isadvanced through soil 175.

FIG. 9A is a side plan view schematically illustrating application oftool system 200 of FIGS. 7-8 in soil 175, according to one embodiment ofthe invention. As illustrated in FIG. 9A, tool system 200 extends fromend plate 53 of loader assembly 40 of self-propelled vehicle 12 (FIG. 1)with the rotational position of end plate 53 being controlled via loaderassembly 40, as previously described and illustrated in association withFIGS. 1-6B

FIG. 9A illustrates a method 250 of trenching via trenching tool 200,including maneuvering trenching tool 202 into a first position(represented by indicator I) in which scoop 201 of trenching tool 202,as supported by tool mount 102 and end plate 53 of vehicle 12, isinserted into soil 175. In this position, first portion 124 of receiverarm 120 is in contact with end plate 53 of loader assembly 40 to providea generally rigid axial support for scoop 201 as the vehicle 12 movesforward to cause penetration of front end 210 of scoop 201 into soil175, as shown in FIG. 9A. Prior to entry of spade 142, the operator alsomanipulates end plate 53 of loader assembly 40 to achieve a tilt (seconddegree of motion B) suitable for a desired angle of entry front end 210of spade scoop 201 into soil 175 to facilitate the desired diggingaction.

Once scoop 201 is inserted into soil 175, and with vehicle 12 in agenerally stationary position, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, end plate 53is tilted forward (i.e., rotated in the second degree of motion asrepresented by directional arrow R) to place tool mount 102 and shovel104 in a second position II. Accordingly, with scoop 201 at leastpartially inserted into soil 175, this forward tilting of end plate 53causes receiver arm 120 to pivot away from end plate 53, via action ofpivot mechanism 114, in the third degree of motion. This action causes acorresponding deeper penetration and slight upward tilting of scoop 201,as illustrated in FIG. 9B as compared with the depth of penetration ofscoop 201 shown in FIG. 9B. As further illustrated in FIG. 9B, the scoop201 is advanced until the upper portion 228 of scoop 201 is near the topedge 178 of soil 175.

FIG. 9C illustrates further advancement of the penetration of scoop 201into a trenching position within soil 175, which is achieved vialowering of loader arm 41 of vehicle 12 (FIG. 1) toward soil 175, whichcauses a corresponding lowering of end plate 53 toward soil 175. Whileloader arm 41 of loader assembly 40 is being lowered, end plate 53 ofloader assembly 40 tilts backward (as represented by directional arrowR) while the pivoting action of tool mount 102 in the third degree ofmotion advances the position of scoop 201 into soil 175.

FIG. 9D is a side view of tool mount 102 and scoop 201 that illustratesthe completion of lowering of end plate 53 to a position close to topsurface 178 of soil 175 and a corresponding tilting of end plate 52 (asrepresented by directional arrow R) into a generally vertical positionso that end plate 53 is oriented generally perpendicular to and incontact against first portion 124 of receiver arm 120 of tool mount 102.With end plate 53 in this position and the upper portions 228 of scoop201 oriented generally parallel to top surface 178 of soil 175, endplate 53 of loader arm 42 and receiver arm 120 of tool mount 102together provide generally rigid axial support to scoop 201 tofacilitate forward advancement of scoop 201 through soil 175 (uponlocomotion of vehicle 12 as represented by directional arrow F). Oncescoop 201 is full of soil 175 or when the scoop 201 has passed through adesired amount of soil 175, end plate 53 of loader arm 41 is rotatedbackward to cause front end 210 of scoop 201 to be slightly raised andthen loader arm 41 is manipulated to raise end plate 53 of loaderassembly 40, tool mount 102, and scoop 201 together out of the soil 175with a load 183 of soil 175 within scoop 201.

FIG. 9E is a side view of tool mount 102 and scoop 201 that illustratesemptying the load 183 of soil 175 from scoop 201, according to oneembodiment of the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 9E, end plate 53 ofloader assembly 40 is tilted rearward (as represented by directionalarrow K) which maintains contact between end plate 53 and first portion124 of receiver arm 120 (of tool mount 102) to enable lifting of scoop201 via end plate 53. However, because scoop 201 includes an open backend 212, load 183 of soil 175 slides out of the back end 212 of scoop201 (as represented by directional arrow D) rather than front end 210 ofscoop 201. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, vehicle 12is maneuvered via rotation or other motion to move scoop 201 away fromthe working zone of soil 175 prior to dumping soil from scoop 201.

In one aspect, by providing scoop 201 with an open back end 212, anoperator at controls 26 of vehicle 12 (FIG. 1) can see the load 183 ofsoil 175 as it exits scoop 201. This arrangement provides substantiallymore feedback to the operator than a conventional loader bucket, inwhich the contents of the loader bucket are dumped out of the front endof the conventional loader bucket and the operator is relatively blindto the progression of the exiting of the contents of the loader bucket.

In one aspect, the dual open-ended construction of scoop 201 enablesmoving scoop 201 through soil 175 despite the presence of large rocksbecause the scoop 201 has a width and a height that is substantiallylarger than many common rocks or debris found in soil 175. This scooparrangement is unlike conventional ditch trenching equipment, which usesa blade-like configuration to cut through soil and therefore is unableto swallow rocks and debris like the trenching tool 202 of embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 9F is a side view of tool mount 102 and scoop 201, according to oneembodiment of the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 9F, mounting arm 204of trenching tool 202 is removably secured (e.g., slidably inserted)relative to second portion 122 of receiver arm 120 so that the upperportions 228 of respective side walls 220A, 220B of scoop 201 arepositionable generally parallel to a plane of the top surface 178 ofsoil 175, even though receiver arm 120 is oriented at an acute angle(e.g., 45 degrees) relative to top surface 178 of soil 175. Moreover, inthis position, first portion 124 of receiver arm 120 is in pressingcontact against end plate 53 of loader arm 41 to enable driving thescoop 201 forward through soil 175 (upon locomotion of vehicle 12). Inanother aspect, the angled mounting arm 204 enables positioning scoop201 substantially completely within soil 175 but without having to placeend plate 53 immediately adjacent top surface 178 of soil 175. Inaddition, this arrangement enables scoop 201 to be used within generallydeeper trenches than with mounting arm 206 because the angle mountingarm 204 permits scoop 201 to extend lower within soil 175 for a givenposition of end plate 53 of loader assembly 40.

FIG. 10 is an end view of a method 350 of trenching with tool mount 102and trenching tool 202, according to one embodiment of the invention. Asillustrated in FIG. 10, the respective laterally spaced apart locomotionelements 25A, 25B (e.g., treads or wheels) straddle a trench 352 createdvia tool mount 102 and trenching tool 202. In one aspect, theconfiguration of trenching tool 202 permits creating a trench 352 atleast as wide as scoop 201 via the ability of scoop 201 to extend in agenerally horizontal orientation within soil 175, below a bottom portionof vehicle 12 as the vehicle advances over soil 175. In one embodiment,in a method of trenching an operator stands on platform 24 of vehicle 12(FIG. 1) while vehicle 12 moves over and straddles the trench 352created by trenching tool 202. The platform 24 enables the operator toremain at back end 21 of vehicle 12 at controls 26 despite the existenceof trench 352 below and between locomotion elements 25A, 25B. In oneaspect, platform 24 can pivot upwards toward frame 20 of vehicle 12 butdoes not extend below a generally horizontal position, as shown inFIG. 1. The platform 24, as shown in FIG. 1, is especially adapted tothis wide trenching method via trenching tool 202 because the platform24 is supported in this position without any wheels that roll over theground as takes place with conventional platform systems. In oneembodiment, platform 24 comprises substantially the same features andattributes as the platforms described and illustrated in U.S. PatentPublication 20060103093, titled RIDER PLATFORM FOR SELF-PROPELLEDVEHICLE, and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 11A is side plan view of a wheelbarrow 400 removably mounted ontool mount 102, according to one embodiment of the invention. Asillustrated in FIG. 11A, tool mount 102 extends from end plate 53 ofloader assembly 40 of self-propelled vehicle 12 (FIG. 1). In oneembodiment, tool mount 102 comprises substantially the same features andattributes as tool mount 102 as previously described and illustrated inassociation with FIGS. 3-6B. The rotational position of end plate 53 (asrepresented by directional arrow B) is controlled via loader assembly40, as previously described and illustrated in association with FIGS.1-6B.

As illustrated in FIG. 11A, wheelbarrow 400 comprises a bucket 402,mounting arm 430, and wheel assembly 421. Bucket 402 comprises back end404, front end 406, bottom portion 408 and top portion 410 while wheelassembly 421 comprises pivot support 420 and wheel 422. In one aspect,mounting arm 430 extends from back end 404 of bucket 402 for slidableinsertion into second portion 122 of receiver arm 120 of tool mount 102.In one embodiment, mounting arm 430 of wheel barrow 400 extends at anobtuse angle relative to top portion 410 of bucket 402 to facilitateplacement of tool mount 102 in its first position (in which firstportion 124 of receiver arm 120 is in contact against end plate 53 ofloader assembly 40). This arrangement helps to maintain a top portion410 of bucket 402 of wheelbarrow 400 in a generally horizontal positionas vehicle 12 moves forward, pushing wheelbarrow 400.

As illustrated in FIG. 11A, first portion 124 of receiver arm 120 is inpressing contact against end plate 53 of vehicle 12 to enable eitherdriving wheelbarrow 400 forward upon forward locomotion of vehicle 12 orbackward upon rearward locomotion of vehicle 12.

In another aspect, end plate 53 is tilted upward as represented bydirectional arrow U to release first portion 124 of receiver arm 120from contact against end plate 53, thereby enabling tool mount 102 tofacilitate an up-and-down range of motion of back end 404 of wheelbarrow400 as the wheelbarrow 400 travels over terrain having varyingelevation.

FIG. 11B is an end plan view of wheelbarrow 400 of FIG. 11A. Asillustrated in FIG. 11B, bucket 402 of wheelbarrow 400 comprises a pairof opposed side walls 435A, 435B and defines an open container (asindicated by dashed lines 440) for receiving articles, soil, debris,construction materials or other matter. FIG. 11B also furtherillustrates wheel assembly 421 as mounted at front end 406 ofwheelbarrow 400.

FIG. 11C is side plan view schematically illustrating maneuveringwheelbarrow 400 into a position for emptying the contents of bucket 402,according to one embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in FIG.11C, loader arm 41 of vehicle 12 (FIG. 1) is raised to an elevatedposition with end plate 53 of loader assembly 40 tilted to a generallyforward position, thereby maintaining first portion 124 of receiver arm120 in contact with end plate 53 to cause bucket 402 to tip forward uponrotation of wheel 422 at front end 406 of bucket 402.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of rake 500, according to one embodimentof the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 12, rake 500 comprises centermast 502 and array 520 of transverse members 522 with center mast 502including first end 504 and second end 506. The respective transversemembers 522 extend generally parallel to each other in a spaced apartrelationship (as represented by width W) and extend generallyperpendicular to center mast 502. Each respective transverse member 522includes a bracket 530 for securing the transverse member 522 to centermast 502. Each respective transverse member 522 also comprises a firstrow of teeth 534A and a second row of teeth 534B (FIGS. 13-14).

FIG. 13 is a front plan view of rake 500 of FIG. 12, furtherillustrating teeth 534A and 534B. As illustrated in FIG. 13, teeth 534Aand teeth 534B extend in a first direction at a generally acute angle(as represented by as) relative to transverse member 522, except withteeth 534A extending in a generally opposite second direction relativeto teeth 534B. Accordingly, the respective teeth 534A extend in thefirst direction that is generally perpendicular to the second directionin which respective teeth 534B extend.

FIG. 14 is side plan view of rake 500 of FIGS. 12-13, which furtherillustrates that on each respective transverse member 522, the first rowof teeth 534B is positioned generally parallel to, but spaced apartfrom, the second row of teeth 534A. This spacing facilitates flow ofsoil as the respective rows of teeth 534A, 534B break through soil 175while also providing room for rocks or other debris. FIG. 14 alsoillustrates that transverse members 522 are generally parallel to eachother in a spaced apart relationship to that the rows of teeth 534A,534B on one respective transverse member 522 are spaced apart from therows of teeth 534A, 534B on an adjacent, spaced apart respectivetransverse member 522.

FIG. 15A-15B are side plan views schematically illustrating applicationof rake 500 to soil 175, upon removable mounting of rake 500, via toolmount 102, on end plate 53 of loader assembly 40 of self-propelledvehicle 12. As illustrated in FIG. 15A, tool mount 102 extends from endplate 53 of self-propelled vehicle 12 (FIG. 1). In one embodiment, toolmount 102 comprises substantially the same features and attributes astool mount 102 as previously described and illustrated in associationwith FIGS. 3-6B. In one embodiment, the rotational position of end plate53 is controlled via loader assembly 40, as previously described andillustrated in association with FIGS. 1-6B.

As illustrated in FIG. 15A, end plate 53 is maneuvered to a positionimmediately adjacent soil 175 (via lowering of loader arm 41 shown inFIGS. 1-3) to place rake 500 onto soil 175 to cause with teeth 534A and534B of rake 500 to engage soil 175. During this maneuver, first portion124 of receiver arm 120 of tool mount 102 is in a generally horizontalposition and in contact against the generally vertically positioned endplate 53 via action of gravitational forces. While in this position,self-propelled vehicle 12 is advanced forward over soil 175, therebycausing teeth 534A, 534B to move through soil 175.

FIG. 15B illustrates the pivoting action of tool mount 102 that permitsrake 500 to pivot upward to accommodate a temporary elevation (e.g.bump) or increased grade of top surface 178 of soil 175. Thisarrangement generally corresponds to tool mount 102 moving into thesecond position (represented by indicator II in FIG. 6B) in which firstportion 124 of receiver arm 120 pivots away from contact against endplate 53 of loader assembly 40. However, at the same time, tool mount102 still translates a pushing force from end plate 53 of self-propelledvehicle 12 (FIG. 1) through rake 500, as vehicle 12 advances over soil175, despite the pivoting of receiver arm 120 because of thegravitational forces acting to keep rake 500 on soil 175.

Embodiments of the invention provide a tool mount including a pivotingaction to introduce a third degree of motion in controlled movements ofa tool attached to an end of a loader assembly. This pivoting actiongrants more fluid movement and control over attachable tools that is notpossible with conventional loader assemblies providing only two degreesof motion. In one aspect, the tool mount includes a receiver thatremovably receives a variety of tools that are interchangeably attachedto the tool mount. The tool mount offers unique advantages to each typeof tool attached to the loader assembly. The tool mount also acts as auniversal receiver to the many different tools while still introducingthe third degree of motion in operating a loader assembly.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the artthat a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may besubstituted for the specific embodiments shown and described withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. This application isintended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specificembodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that thisinvention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

1. A tool mount for attachment to an end plate of a loader assembly of aself-propelled vehicle, the tool mount comprising: a base configured forsecuring onto an end plate of a loader assembly of a self-propelledvehicle; and a receiver pivotally connected to the base and including afirst portion and a second portion opposite the first portion, thesecond portion configured to removably receive a tool, wherein thereceiver is pivotally movable between: (1) a first position in which thefirst portion of the receiver arm is in pressing contact against thebase of the tool mount; and (2) a second position in which the firstportion of the receiver arm is spaced apart from, and is freelypivotally movable relative to, the base of the tool mount.
 2. The toolmount of claim 1 wherein the receiver includes a pivot member pivotallymounted to the base and an arm extending generally parallel to andspaced apart from the pivot member, wherein the arm includes the firstportion and the second portion of the receiver.
 3. The tool mount ofclaim 2 wherein in the first position, the arm of the receiver isprevented from pivotal movement in a first rotational direction, and inthe second position, the arm of the receiver is generally pivotallymoveable in both the first rotational direction and in a secondrotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.
 4. Thetool mount of claim 3 wherein the base extends between a pair of wingslaterally spaced apart from each other and the receiver comprises atransverse support extending laterally between a pair of wings, whereineach respective wing of the base is pivotally connected, via a pivotmechanism, to each respective wing of the receiver to arrange thetransverse support to be pivotal movably relative to the base.
 5. Thetool mount of claim 4 wherein the arm of the receiver extends downwardlyfrom the transverse support of the receiver and is connected to thetransverse support via at least one flange that extends generally upwardfrom the arm of the receiver and generally surrounds the transversesupport.
 6. The tool mount of claim 1 and further comprising avibration-absorbing link configured to be interposed between the endplate of the loader assembly of the vehicle and the receiver.
 7. Thetool mount of claim 1 wherein the tool comprises a shovel including amounting arm and a spade extending outwardly from the mounting arm, themounting arm being removably securable relative to the second portion ofthe receiver to position the spade to extend away from the base of thereceiver.
 8. The tool mount of claim 1 wherein the tool comprises: ascoop including an open back end and an open front end opposite the openback end, the scoop including a two opposite sidewalls and a bottomportion interposed and extending laterally between the oppositesidewalls.
 9. The tool mount of claim 8 wherein the scoop comprises: abracket extending laterally between the two opposite sidewalls andpositioned at the open back end of the scoop; and at least one of afirst mounting arm and a second mounting arm with both of the respectivefirst and second mounting arms extending outwardly from the bracket awayfrom the open back end and each respective first and second mounting armslidably insertable into the second portion of the receiver, wherein thefirst mounting arm extends generally parallel to a longitudinal axis ofthe scoop and wherein the second mounting arm extends at an acute anglerelative to the first mounting arm.
 10. The tool mount of claim 1wherein the tool comprises a rake including: a center mast including afirst end and a second end opposite the first end, the first endcomprising a mounting arm removably securable relative to the secondportion of the receiver of the tool mount; and an array of transversemembers extending generally perpendicular to the center mast in a spacedapart relationship, with each transverse member supporting an array ofteeth configured to engage soil.
 11. The tool mount of claim 10 whereinthe array of teeth of each respective transverse member of the rakecomprises: a first array of teeth oriented in a first direction andforming an acute angle relative to the respective transverse member; anda second array of teeth oriented in a second direction and forming anacute angle relative to the respective transverse member, the seconddirection being generally perpendicular to, and opposite from, the firstdirection, wherein the first array of teeth are generally parallel tothe second array of teeth in a spaced apart relationship.
 12. The toolmount of claim 1 and further comprising a self-propelled vehiclecomprising: a vehicle frame including a loader assembly including: ahydraulic loader arm pivotally mounted relative to the vehicle frame; ahydraulic lift cylinder mounted relative to vehicle frame; and an endplate pivotally mounted relative to both the loader arm and the liftcylinder, wherein the lift cylinder is configured to extend and retractfor controlling selective rotational movement of the end plate.
 13. Thetool mount of claim 12 wherein the hydraulic loader arm is pivotallymovable relative to the vehicle frame to provide a first degree ofmotion, the hydraulic lift cylinder is extendable and retractable tocontrol pivoting of the end plate relative to the vehicle frame as asecond degree of motion, and the receiver of the tool mount is pivotablerelative to the end plate of the loader assembly to provide a thirddegree of motion for the tool.
 14. A method of manipulating a toolmounted on a self-propelled vehicle, the method comprising: removablymounting a tool in a pivotal relationship relative to a mounting plateof a hydraulic loader assembly of a self-propelled vehicle; and movingthe tool, via selectively controlled rotational movement of the mountingplate, between a first position in which the tool is releasably fixedrelative to the mounting plate and a second position in which the toolis freely pivotally movable relative to the mounting plate.
 15. Themethod of claim 14 wherein removably mounting a tool comprises:providing the tool as a shovel and moving the tool comprises wigglingthe shovel back and forth in a soil portion via pivotal movement of thetool, relative to the mounting plate of the loader assembly of thevehicle, between the first position and the second position.
 16. Themethod of claim 14 wherein removably mounting a tool comprises:providing the tool as a scoop that includes an open front end and anopen back end, and wherein moving the tool comprises forming a trenchvia: forcing an angled entry of the open front end of the scoop in thefirst position of the scoop relative to the mounting plate; advancingthe scoop through the soil with the scoop in the second position. 17.The method of claim 16 wherein moving the tool comprises: emptying soilfrom the scoop via raising the mounting plate of the loader assembly toorient the scoop in the first position and positioning, via rotation ofthe mounting plate, the open back end of the scoop generally downward toempty the soil from open back end of the scoop.
 18. The method of claim16 wherein moving the tool comprises: positioning the scoop adjacent afront end of the vehicle between a pair of oppositely positionedlocomotion elements of the vehicle; and riding on a platform of thevehicle at a back end of the vehicle as the vehicle moves over thetrench formed via the scoop with the platform passing over the trench.19. The method of claim 12 wherein removably mounting the tool comprisesproviding the tool as a rake and moving the tool comprises forcing therake, with the receiver in the first portion, generally parallel to agenerally horizontal surface of a soil portion to engage an array ofteeth of the rake into and through the soil; and permitting the rake tomove into the second portion during forcing of the rake through agenerally sloped surface of the soil portion.
 20. A self-propelledvehicle comprising: means for raising and lowering a mounting platerelative to a vehicle frame of the vehicle; means for pivoting themounting plate relative to the means for raising and lowering; and meansfor removably securing a tool relative to the mounting plate including:means for pivoting the tool in a first rotational direction toward thevehicle frame and in a second rotational direction opposite the firstrotational direction away from the vehicle frame; and means for limitingpivoting of the tool in the first rotational direction via contactagainst the mounting plate.
 21. The self-propelled vehicle of claim 20wherein the means for raising and lowering a mounting plate includes ahydraulically controlled loader arm pivotally mounted to the vehicleframe and pivotally mounted relative to the mounting plate, and whereinthe means for pivoting the mounting plate includes a lift cylinderpositioned on the vehicle frame and pivotally mounted relative to themounting plate.
 22. The self-propelled vehicle of claim 21 wherein themeans for removably securing comprises a tool mount interposed betweenthe mounting plate and the tool, the tool mount including a basepositioned on the mounting plate and a receiver adapted to removablyreceive the tool, and wherein the means for pivoting comprises a pivotmechanism pivotally connecting the receiver relative to the base, andwherein the means for limiting comprises an arm of the receiver sizedand shaped to contact the mounting plate upon pivotal movement of thereceiver in the first rotational direction.